10 Tips to Look 10 Years Younger

We all want to look young, energetic, and healthy. Here are 10 tricks…er, tips picked from Prevention magazine, The New York Post, and the Cleveland Plain Dealer, that will help you look younger than your real age – without surgery.

1. Conceal and moisturize

“When you hit a certain age, the things you’ve done before don’t apply,” makeup artist Robin Narvaez of Manhattan’s Borja Color Studio told The New York Post. “You need to learn new tricks.” And the No. 1 trick in her book is moisturize, moisturize, moisturize and then use makeup to conceal any imperfections, such as broken capillaries, age spots, and shadows.

2. Use sunscreen as a moisturizer

In the morning, slather sunscreen on your face just as you would a moisturizer, advises Prevention magazine. Use SPF 15. If you plan to be outside most of the day, use SPF 45.

3. Trim your eyebrows

Splurge and let a pro do it the first time or two until you learn the tricks. If your eyebrows are the wrong shape, they can actually make you look older and even sadder. But beware: Narvaez says you should never wax your brows since that pulls on the skin and will make you look older.

4. This will make you blush

Since older skin dries out faster, use a brush and loose powder for foundation. “Stay away from anything called matte,” warns Narvaez. “A dry, flat finish will only emphasize wrinkles and cracks.” And do use blush–a soft pink is best. Always avoid bronze.

5. The great wrinkle cover-up

Once you hit your 40s, call your dermatologist for a prescription-strength vitamin A derivative, such as Retin A, Renova, or Tazorac. These products will make your wrinkles less noticeable and will actually help fade age spots. Prevention magazine says they may even help prevent certain pre-cancerous changes in your skin. Narvaez says you can disguise fine lines around your lips by building up the cupid’s bow with a neutral-covered lip liner. Want that dewy look? Try lip gloss.

6. Get an eyeful of this

Use a light-colored eye shadow to open up your eyes and make them look bigger–but avoid anything shiny because it’s so artificial looking. Narvaez also recommends curling your eyelashes and using dark brown or black mascara. No other colors work for the over-40 crowd because they look so fake. Avoid waterproof mascara since you’ll have to rub hard to get it off, which can stress your delicate (read: aging) skin.

7. Sleep seven hours every night

Sleep refreshes your body. If you regularly get only a few hours of sleep at night, it will hinder metabolism and hormone production in a way that is similar to the effects of aging, warns Dr. Joseph Mercola, author of “The No-Grain Diet.” He says seven hours a night is the absolute minimum for all of us, and some folks benefit from more. His advice: Be in bed by 9 p.m. in the winter months and 10 p.m. the rest of the year.

8. High energy

You’ll look and feel better if you eat the right kind of fat–specifically nuts. Peanuts, walnuts, and almonds are best. They slowly release their good fat, giving you more endurance for the day’s demands.

9. Flaunt your figure

Once you hit 40, Houston-based image consultant Karen McCullough has some surprising advice for women: “Don’t be too covered up. Show your clavicles or some cleavage, but make sure to wear a well-fitting bra for support.” If you’re letting a little show on top, wear a longer skirt of slacks. You don’t want to look trashy. She also told the Plain Dealer this tip: Trousers that are slightly too big make you look much skinnier than trousers that are a bit too tight.

10. Get a good pair of sunglasses–and wear them

Wear sunglasses so you don’t squint in the bright light. If you don’t squint as much, you’ll help prevent crow’s feet and forehead lines, notes Prevention magazine.

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